TEN-year-old Lauren Grey from St Helen’s Auckland Primary School helped to officially open the new Sainsbury’s store in Bishop Auckland.

Local charities are to form close ties with the new store after Sainsbury’s raised £400 for Butterwick Hospice by taking part in an ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition. Heel and Toe, a local charity for disabled children, will receive a year of fundraising support and volunteering as the store’s local charity partner.

The store manager, Tom Phillipson, said: “My colleagues and I are looking forward to getting involved in Bishop Auckland life and making a positive difference to the community. I am so proud to have started making a positive difference by bringing almost 300 jobs from a reputable employer to the community.

“It’s been quite special to stand in front of 40 to 50 new people at our training sessions, welcoming them to the family and a job that has real prospects.”